Press for making sewer-pipe and the like.



v v o. W. VAUGHN. PRESS PORMAKING SEWER PIPE ANDTHE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1, 1906.

91 5 ,640. Patented Mar 16, 1909.

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APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1, 1906.

Patented Mar. 16, 1909.

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0. W. VAUGHN. PRESS FOR MAKING SEWER PIPE AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1, 1906.

Patented Mar. 16,1909.

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CALVIN W. VAUGHN, OF OUYAHOGA FALLS, OHIO.

PRESS FOR MAKING SEWER-PIPE AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 16, 1909.

Application filed August 1, 1906. Serial No. 328,667.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CALVIN W. VAUGHN, a citizen of the United States, resident of Cuyahoga Falls, county of Summit, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Presses for Making Sewer-Pipe and the Like, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

My invention relates to clay-working machinery and particularly to presses for the making of sewer pipe, pottery, fire-proofing, terra-cotta lumber, and other clay products. Presses of this kind generally consist of a vertically-disposed clay cylinder from which the clay is expressed into a mold by means of a plunger operated by a steam cylinder and piston directly above such clay cylinder.

My resent invention comprehends, in the first p ace, an improved frame structure for supporting the above-named parts, the object being to provide an open space beneath the clay cylinder and thus facilitate the handling of the molds and of the green product, such as sections of sewer piple and the like.

Such invention compre ends further a novel steam cylinder construction whereby a marked saving in the amount of power required to run the press'is effected; and it also includes ower-actuated means for severing successive articles from the mass of clay in the clay cylinder. These several means, as well as others associated therewith, in the structure of my press, are all hereinafter fully described and those constituting my invention are later specifically set forth in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings :Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a press embodying my several im rovements, such press, although particu arly equipped for use in a sewer pipe factory, presenting nevertheless the general features that would characterize one designed for any of the above. lines of work; Fig. 2 represents a front elevation of such press; Fig.3 is a, central longitudinal cross-section of the clay cylinder of the same showing details of the cutter mechanism and the means provided for actuating the same and Fig. 4 is a plan view of a spider that is utilized to support such cutter mechanism within the clay cylinder. 7

A brief reference to the state of the art will be essential to a ready understanding of my invention, particular reference being had herein to the manufacture of sewer pipe as serving to illustrate such art as a whole. Apparatus of the sort in hand has heretofore, in its approved form, comprised a vertically arranged clay cylinder supported above the lower floor of the factory at a suitable height to permittherebeneath the approach and adjustment of molds and the removal of the green pi e-sections. Mounted above the clay cylin or has been a steam cylinder and piston of the usual reciprocatory type whereby the plunger or follower used for eX ressing the clay from the clay cylinder con (1 be actuated as desired. The top of the clay cylinder has generally been on a level with the second floor and the steam cylinder supported on columns or other frame work a suitable distance above such clay cylinder to ermit the ready charging of the latter with the prepared clay of which the tile or sewer-pipe is made. In

the making of sewer ipe,the mold proper 7 comprises simply a siort section adapted together with the die to form the flanged end of the pipe only. At the beginning of the 0 eration this mold is held against the die, t at is fastened tothe discharge endof the clay cylinder, and in alinement therewith by means of a counterpoised platform or table. Upon the mold proper being filled this platform is slowly lowered and, the clay being forced out of the die at the proper rate, the straight portion ofthe pipe-section is formed. When the desired length'has been thus attained, a suitable cutter in the spider extension, which forms the discharge end of the clay cylinder, is actuated by hand to cut off the pipe-section and the latter may then be removed and the operation be thereupon repeated until the clay cylinder requires to be again charged. When this becomes necessary, the follower is withdrawn, the cylinder filled, and all is again ready for a repetition of the operation.

The frame, whereby the clay cylinder and superposed steam cylinder are supported,

must necessarily be quite strong, and has heretofore been of rectangular form. Obviously the working space beneaththe clayey]- inder has been consequently much cramped and the use of cranes or similarmecha'nism for handling the frequently heavy and unwieldy'molds and pipe-sections has been correspondingly hampered. Furthermore, a steam cylinder of large cross-section has been required to furnish the power needed for the downward stroke of the follower, the use of which'to perform the relatively light task of withdrawing such plunger involves a manifest waste of energy. Lastly, the necessity of operating the cutter manually is not only burdensome upon the operative in charge of the press but frequently distracts his attention from other and more important duties. As has been indicated, it is the object of my invention to eliminate so-far as possible these several difficulties.

The frame of my improved press comprises a base A of rectangular outline and preferably of channel bars solidly riveted together in the manner clearly indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. This base A rests upon suitable foundations B, Fig. 2, and over a well B within which operates the counterpoised table or platform C whereby the mold, not shown, is supported. In the construction of this table no departure is made from that above referred to. Mounted near the rear end of base A is amast built up of two pairs of forwardly inclined legs, the lower A of which terminates laterally of the clay cylinder D, the upper A of which extends up and adjacent to the sides of the superposed steam cylinder E. These legs are preferably formed of channels lighter than, but united in the same way as, those of which base A is made up. The corresponding members of each pair of such legs are supported by a strut A one on each side. The upper ends of these struts are secured by A at points approximately on a level with the'upper ends of masts A; and forwardly extending beams A", secured attheir rear ends to legs A by these same gusset plates a and resting upon such upper ends of legs A, form an overhanging platform upon cross-beams A Fig. 2, of which the clay cylinder D is supported. Steam cylinder E, in addition to being supported by upper legs A to which it is attached by means of braekets' a, is supported upon three columns a that rest upon the top head of clay cylinder D.

From the frame construction just described it will be evident neath the clay cylinder is entirely open on three sides. A crane can hence be swung in and out with the greatest possible freedom and the roduct removed with facility in any one of t ree directions. Such construction furthermore is designed to afford ample regusset plates a to legs that the space be- -material.

Steam cylinder E, of which the manner of fsupport'has been already described, is utilized only in actuating a follower or plunger (1 downwardly into clay cylinder D, to express the clay therefrom. This operation, as was earlier stated, requires considerable power, for the clay, although in a plastic condition, must still be still enough to stand alone when expressed from the die of cylinder D. On the other hand, to raise or withdraw such plunger requires ordinarily less than one-fifteenth of such 'ower. Accordingly, for withdrawing the unger, I provide a second steam cylinder of correspondingly smaller cross-section, in axial alinement with cylinder E and'having its piston-head connectedby'means of a piston 6 with the piston-head of the latter cylinder. This lastnamed piston-head is connected withplunger d by means of a plurality of piston-rods e be cause of the greater straininvolved.

The mechanism whereby the steam is alternately supplied to first cylinder E, then cylinder E, mayyof course, vary from that here shown, which comprises a steam chest E mounted on the top head of the first cylinderand'connected with the upper end of the same and with thelower end of cylinder E by means of pipes e 6 respectively. Steam is supplied through a feed-pipe e and escapes through an exhaust pipe 6 such supply and exhaust being controlled by means of a pieton valve in steam chest E 'that is adapted to be operated by a hand lever E joined therewith by a suitablesystem of connecting rods and levers c.

i As the downward-stroke of the plunger has to be regulated in order to express the clay at just the proper speed, lever E is placed conveniently within reach of the workman watching the operation. The progress of the upper stroke does not requiresuch care and hence automatic means are provided for cutting oil the supply of steam when the pistonhead in cylinder E reaches the upper end of the cylinder. Such means comprise a lever a connected by a rod 6 with rod 0 and provided with a short plunger e 'that extends a short distance within the top head of cylinder E so as to be forced upwardly by the pistonhead as it approaches the limit of its stroke. Accordingly, when it becomes necessary to recharge the clay cylinder, it'is merely necessary to swinghand-lever E to reverse the supply of steam to the steam cylinders, no further attention being required until it is desired to again start the press.

The lower discharge end of clay cylinder D comprises an extension member D, Figs. 1, 2,'and'3, in the upper or neck portion of which is mounted a spider D Figs. 3 ande.

The arms of this spider, preferably three in k number, have both their edges scalloped as shown, to prevent the formation of bubbles in the clay 'as it divides in passing around such spider-arms, with resultant defects in the product. Spider D is formed with a vertical bore that is closed at the top by a cap (1 and into which is screw-threaded from below a hollow stem D Such stem D has secured to its lower end a conical die member D that gages the inner diameter of the pipe section, and just below this men'iber D rotates the cutter (1*, being mounted upon a shaft d journaled in stem D Cutter (1 is of the well-known jack-knife construction whereby rotation in one direction is adapted to effect the projection of the cutting blade beyond the edge of member D", whereas rotation. in the opposite direction withdraws it within such edge. Rotation of cutter shaft cl to thus actuate the cutter (ii is effected by means of a horizontal shaft d lying in a suitable bore therefor provided in one of the arms of the spider D and having its inner and outer ends respectively journaled in brackets d and (i Bevel gears 01 connect this shaft with the outer shaft proper and reversible rotation thereof is produced by a rack (Z that engages a pinion d on the shafts outer end, and that is itself a prolongation of a piston (Z operating in a steam cylinder D A roller D assists in keeping such rack in mesh with the pinion. A three-wayvalve (1, controlled from the same operating station as the valve governing admission of steam to cylinders E and E, is adapted to admit steam to first one side, then the other, of the piston-head (1 with the result of rotating cutter (Z to render the same in one instance operative and in the other inoperative.

It should be noted that in that ty e of clay press required for handling certain liinds of clay, in which the use of a spider D or any equivalent means in clay cylinder D has had to be dispensed with, my method of operat ing the cutter is still applicable. In such case stem 1) is usually prolonged to extend above the top of the clay cylinder and through the plunger, being supported from a bracket or spider attached to the columns intermediate of such cylinder and steam cylinder E. Obviously, the only change involved in adapting my mechanism to this situation would be a corresponding prolongation of vertical shaft d upon which the cutter d is mounted. The difficulty heretofore encountered in oiling the inner bearing of horizontal shaft (i as well as bevel gearing d and the bearings of vertical shaft (1 I have successfully obviated by providing such firstnamed shaft with an axial bore (2 by means of which and the radial openings (Z shown, see Fig. 3, oil or similar lubricant can be easily and regularly supplied where most upper and under needed. This is done without any possibility the object being of suchoil becoming mingled with the clay in the cylinder with attendant injurious results to the product.

The mechanism for raising and lowering platform C is shown in part only, but consists chiefly of a Windlass C, Figs. 1 and 2-, a counterweight O and a friction-brake C There being no direct connection between these parts and the features upon which emphasis is herein sought to be placed, their further description is deemed unnecessary, especially in view of the fact that they are familiar in the art.

The operation of my press is obviously substantially the same as that previously set up in connection with the description of the type of press at present in general use. The variations from such operation entailed by the several departures in construction herein described have been, it is thought, sufficiently described in connection with the description of such improved features. It accordingly only remains, by way of summary, to state that the incorporation of such features, by rendering the press more accessible, by placing every operation under perfect control of the workman in charge, fand by economizing in the amount of steam required to operate the press, not only increases the capacity of the plant, but makes it possible to cheapen the cost of production. The use of a different die at the discharge end of the claycylinder, together with obvious changes in the molds used, is all that is required to adapt the press, above described as a press for making sewer pipe, to the manufacture of any of the various articles suggested at the beginning of the specification.

Having thus described my invention in detail, that which I particularly point out and distinctly claim is:

1. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with superposed vertically arranged clay and steam cylinders, of a frame for supporting the same, such frame comprising a suitable base, a plurality of forwardly-inclined masts mounted on the base near the rear end thereof and connected to said clay and steam cylinder, gusset plates for securing said masts intermediate their .ends, a plurality of vertical struts, and a laterally projecting platform secured to the lowermost of said cylinders.

2. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with superposed vertically arranged clay and steam cylinders, of a frame for supporting the same, such frame comprising a suitable base, two airs of similarly-inclined forwardly projecting legs mounted at the rear end of such base and terminating laterally of and rigidly secured to said clay and steam cylinders, respectively, horizontallydisposed beams resting on the ends of the lower pairof legs and attached at their rear to the upper pair of legs, and struts supporting such upper pair of legsat the j unctureof such beams therewith.

3. In mechanism of the class described,

- the combination with superposed vertically arranged clay and steam cylinders, of a frame for supporting the same, suchframe comprising a suitable base, two airs of simi arly-inclined forwardly projecting legs mounted at the rear end of such base and terminating laterally of and rigidly secured to said clay and steam cylinders, respectively, horizontally-disposed beams resting on the ends of the lower pair of legs and attached at their rear to the upper pair of legs, and a strut mounted on each side of said base, each strut being attached to the corresponding leg of the lower pair and supporting the corresponding leg of the upper pair at its juncture with one of said beams.

4. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with a clay cylinder and a plunger adapted to operate therein, of a orizontal shaft mounted in said cylinder, a spider mounted in the lower end of said cyl- 'inder, a shaft -vertically mounted in said spider, a jack-knife cutter attached to the lower end of said shaft and adapted to be rendered operative and inoperative, respec tively, when. rotated in opposite directions, and means for reversibly rotating said horizontal and vertical shafts, such means comprising a transverse shaft mounted in one of the arms of said spider, gears connecting the same with said vertical shaft, a pinion on the outer end of said transverse shaft, a steam cylinder adjacent to and connected with the clay cylinder, a piston operating within the steam cylinder and provided with a rack engaging said piston, and a valve controlling the admission of steam to said cylinder, said transverse shaft being rovided with an axial bore adapted to carry ubricant from its exteriorend to the interior of said spider substantially as described.

Signed by me, this 27 day of July, 1906.

CALVIN l V. VAUGHN. Attested by R. R. PEEBLEs, FRED C. TREAT. 

